West Yorkshire criminals using social media to recruit students as "parcel mules", police warn
West Yorkshire Police has warned that organised criminals are using Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook to recruit students as "parcel mules" — paying them cash to accept parcels that may contain drugs, weapons or stolen goods.
West Yorkshire Police has warned that organised criminals are using social media to recruit students and other vulnerable people as “parcel mules”, offering them cash to accept parcels on their behalf.
In a warning issued on Tuesday, the force said criminals were constantly seeking new ways to move illegal goods and stolen property without attracting attention, targeting people who “might need to make some extra money”. Those recruited take the packages on the criminals’ behalf and are paid in cash.
The parcels may contain illegal drugs, offensive weapons or stolen goods, police said, adding that those who take part could be committing offences including possession of controlled drugs, handling stolen goods or money laundering.
Chief Inspector Michelle Swift said the trend was growing in West Yorkshire: “What may seem like an easy favour or a way to get quick cash, it could leave you facing a police investigation and a criminal record.” She said criminals were using Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook to recruit people.
Swift urged parents to discuss the trend with their university-age children so they understood the dangers involved.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted can report it via the force’s Live Chat or by calling 101; if a crime is in progress they should call 999. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Sources
- West Yorkshire Police (22 Sept 2026): “Warnings around new trend, accepting parcels for cash” — all facts above verified against this statement: https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/news-appeals/warnings-around-new-trend-accepting-parcels-cash
- The Guardian (23 Sept 2026): “West Yorkshire criminals using social media to recruit students” — wire lead; page could not be opened this run (browser-service fetch failure), so no Guardian-specific wording is claimed above: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/23/west-yorkshire-criminals-using-social-media-to-recruit-students
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